Railroad Earth represents all the types of music that we
wish we were able to experience in the 1960’s. During a time when The
Band-loving hippies of yesteryear swayed in unison with their eyes closed to
Levon Helm’s ballads, when the Beatles left listeners sobbing over the lack of
unity in the world, when folks stomped the wood of New Orleans porches to the
beat of a steel string and the twang of a banjo. Known for their extensive
improvisation and seamless narratives, Railroad Earth takes listeners on a
journey through all of life’s emotions.
Nobody puts baby in a corner, or Railroad Earth in a box. Railroad
Earth transcends the depths of acoustic, lyrical and sensory bliss, not
dimension a light show that rivals visual connoisseurs, like PHISH and Pretty
Lights. Their fractals are off the chain.
Vocalist and songwriter, Todd Schaeffer, had been writing
lyrics for songs his entire life. When Todd found Tim Carbone (violins), John
Skehan (mandolin, piano), Andy Goessling (acoustic guitar, banjo) and Carey
Harmon (drums, percussion) they formed the perfect quintuplet for success. In
no time at all, they added Andrew Altman (upright bass), named themselves “Railroad
Earth” after Jack Kerouac’s short story “October in the Railroad Earth,” and
took to the festival circuit. Not surprisingly, they played at the Telluride
Bluegrass festival in the first year of their tour and were offered a record
deal by Sugar Hill Records on the spot.
Sixteen years of critically acclaimed albums, singles, sold
out shows and epic musical roots magic explosions later, Railroad Earth is a
national sensation.